Spare a thought for poor Watford. The Hornets are literally on the wrong side of history. For the first time since 1981, 19 teams in the top flight have three points or more after three games. In a strange opening to the season, the pointless plodders of Watford are the odd men out. But this statistical oddity is not a cause for celebration, certainly not in Watford, or anywhere beyond the ivory towers of Liverpool and Manchester City. Such a wide distribution of points at such an early stage is not a testament to the English Premier League's equality, but it's growing mediocrity. What were once four tiers in the top flight - the title contenders, the top-four chasers, the relegation battlers and the rest - are now just two. There are Manchester City and Liverpool. And then there is everyone else. Yes, it's only been three games and the chasing pack will inevitably stretch out and may potentially form smaller cliques along the way. But such a distinct divide between quality and … [Read more...] about Don’t cheer two-tier English Premier League: Neil Humphreys
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Liverpool thump promoted Norwich in Premier League opener
Liverpool thump promoted Norwich in Premier League opener Salah, Van Dijk and Origi wrap up easy victory Liverpool players celebrate the second goal of their team during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on Friday. (AP photo) LIVERPOOL: European champions Liverpool made an emphatic start to the new Premier League season by scoring three times in the opening half an hour as they taught promoted Norwich City a harsh lesson with a 4-1 thrashing at Anfield on Friday.Juergen Klopp’s side, runners-up to Manchester City last season, swept aside fellow German Daniel Farke’s team with their trademark attacking verve, taking a 3-0 lead inside 28 minutes. The unfortunate Grant Hanley scored an own goal before Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi netted before halftime, with Norwich scoring through Teemu Pukki just after the hour. The one setback for Klopp on an encouraging night came with an … [Read more...] about Liverpool thump promoted Norwich in Premier League opener
Top referee Webb backs VAR to improve Premier League
NEW YORK: Howard Webb has more experience than most of officiating top flight football matches and his stint in North America's Major League Soccer has convinced him that Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only improve the English Premier League.VAR will make its Premier League debut when Liverpool host Norwich City at Anfield to kick off the new season on Friday night and it is fair to say there are still plenty in England who question the impact of technology on the game.Critics of VAR question its speed and whether the drama of the goalscoring moment will be diluted by delays but Webb, who has spent the last two years managing the use of the technology in the MLS, believes those concerns are misplaced."The Premier League is not broken, it is a highly competitive league that is refereed well, but because of the speed of it, referees will make mistakes and VAR is there to help," the former Premier League referee told Reuters."There were 1,299 goals in MLS last season, and only four … [Read more...] about Top referee Webb backs VAR to improve Premier League
Football: African trio share Premier League Golden Boot
LONDON: The race to be crowned the English Premier League's leading scorer this season ended in a three-way tie on Sunday (May 12) as the African trio of Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah shared the Golden Boot.Gabon forward Aubameyang scored twice for Arsenal at Burnley to join Salah and his Liverpool teammate Mane, who netted a final-day double against Wolves, on 22 goals for the Premier League season.Sergio Aguero, of champions Manchester City, was next in line with 21 goals.Salah has now won the award two seasons in a row but this term's winning tally was the lowest by players in English football's top-flight since 2010/11 when Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez shared the Golden Boot with 20 goals apiece.Aubameyang was delighted to be a member of an all-African trio of winners, saying in quotes reported by the BBC: "I share this trophy with two other guys I like, great players and African. We are representing Africa, that's cool."I am happy we won, and I am … [Read more...] about Football: African trio share Premier League Golden Boot
What a Premier League title would mean for Liverpool
LIVERPOOL: The church organist wanted to meet outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium. Her name is Anne Preston, and she carried the program of a funeral she'd played the day before, as a document of something both ancient and achingly current.She wanted me to see it, so I'd understand how life, death and resurrection are so tied together with football along the banks of the Mersey River.She arrived with her husband, meeting me between the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop, the mighty Liverpool Kop. As he went over to sort his tickets for the first leg of the Champions League semifinal in Barcelona, she produced the programme and told me about a musical request from the family.The mom made the request herself. To honor her son, whose funeral program had Anfield on the front and the club crest on the back, she wanted Anne to subtly work in "You'll Never Walk Alone" during the Mass.It's a familiar request to Anne, and to every funeral director and organist in Liverpool.At the crematorium … [Read more...] about What a Premier League title would mean for Liverpool